August 07, 2007
Defending the U.S. against the law
Who would be so stupid as to think that the U.S. ought not be allowed to defend itself? Who would buy into the lunatic arguments of animal rights groups that the U.S. Navy cannot use sonar designed to detect the submarines of our nation's enemies?
Allow me to introduce you to Florence-Marie Cooper, military strategist, marine biologist, anti-submarine warfare expert, and -- did I mention? -- federal judge.
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - The United States Navy was on Monday barred from using an ear-splitting sonar in upcoming wargames off the California coast alleged to be harmful to whales and other marine life.
In the latest twist to a long-running legal saga, federal judge Florence-Marie Cooper ruled there was a "near certainty" that the Navy's active sonar was harmful to the environment.
The judge issued a preliminary injunction against use of the sonar after rejecting a request by the Navy to dismiss the case against it lodged by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and other environmental groups.
[...]
"(The ruling) confirms that, during sonar testing and training, the Navy can and must protect whales and other marine life in the extraordinarily rich waters off our Southern California coast," NRDC lawyer Joel Reynolds said.
The Navy had argued that the tests were necessary in order to properly train personnel on how to detect quiet submarines.
"The US Navy's use of sonar, and the ability to test and train with it, is critical to the national security of the United States," the government argued in papers before the hearing.
"The proliferation of quiet diesel submarines during the last decade has created a serious threat to the United States and its allies.
[...]
Captain Neil May, assistant chief of staff for training and readiness for the Navy's 3rd Fleet, said after Monday's hearing that the injunction would impact the fleet's ability to train to the required standards.
He said the effects of the ruling was akin to "defending against one of the most lethal predators partially blinded and deaf.
Who do we have to thank for this black-robed idiot? Would it surprise you if I said "Bill Clinton"?
Sigh.
The press release from 1999 -- when Pres. Clinton gave her a lifetime appointment to the federal bench -- provides just a glimpse into this intellectual titan's background.
Judge Florence-Marie Cooper, of Pacific Palisades, California, has served as a Judge on the Los Angeles Superior Court since 1991. Prior to her appointment to the Superior Court, she served as a Los Angeles Municipal Court Judge from 1990 to 1991; a Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner from 1983 to 1990; and a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles in 1977. Judge Cooper attended City College of San Francisco and received her J.D., magna cum laude, in 1975 from Whittier College School of Law. Following law school she clerked for Judge Alarcon of the Los Angeles Superior Court from 1975 to 1977; for Justice Alarcon of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District from 1978 to 1980; and for Justice Woods of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District from 1980 to 1983.
Eight years as a federal judge; eight years as a judge in L.A.; seven years as a commisioner; seven years clerking for judges; and one freaking year as a city attorney!
Well, she sounds extremely well qualified to be revising our naval warfighting strategies.
We're doomed.
Posted by Mike Lief at August 7, 2007 11:46 PM
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Comments
. . . and police patrols of the judge's neighborhood in the Palisades increase our total carbon footprint, which is harmful to the environment. Perhaps she should enjoin the LAPD from driving around to protect her own family and property . . .
Posted by: glrex at August 18, 2007 12:55 PM